According to recent data from the streaming analytics platform FlixPatrol, Indian films are overwhelmingly dominating Netflix viewership charts in Pakistan. This trend highlights the enduring popularity of Bollywood content among Pakistani audiences, even when certain films face official restrictions in the country.
Dhurandhar's Remarkable Rise to Number One
The spy thriller Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, has claimed the number one position on Netflix Pakistan just two days after its OTT release. This achievement is particularly noteworthy because the film was banned from theatrical release in Pakistan due to its allegedly negative portrayal of the country.
Before becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film ever, Dhurandhar faced significant controversy in Pakistan. Despite the official ban, the movie generated massive buzz among Pakistani audiences, with many expressing strong interest in watching it through digital platforms.
Widespread Popularity Across Multiple Regions
Dhurandhar, featuring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, and Sanjay Dutt in prominent roles, has demonstrated impressive global reach. The film currently tops Netflix charts in several Asian countries including:
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Kuwait
- The Maldives
- Mauritius
- United Arab Emirates
Even in Western markets, the film has made significant impact. According to FlixPatrol data, Dhurandhar ranks among the Top 10 movies on Netflix in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. In the United States, the movie briefly entered the Top 10 on its OTT release day before moving out of the rankings the following day.
Indian Films Dominate Pakistani Streaming Landscape
The dominance of Indian content extends far beyond Dhurandhar. An analysis of Netflix Pakistan's Top 10 titles reveals that a majority are Indian productions. Several Bollywood films continue to attract steady viewership, including:
- Tere Ishk Mein (starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon)
- De De Pyaar De 2
- Mardaani 2
- Mardaani
- Jolly LLB 3
Tere Ishk Mein maintained the top position in Pakistan until Dhurandhar recently claimed the lead. This consistent performance demonstrates the sustained demand for Indian cinema among Pakistani viewers.
Notable Performances and Industry Reactions
The courtroom drama Haq, featuring Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam (wife of director Aditya Dhar), has also made significant impact. The film, which explores the intersection of Islamic Personal Law and Indian Constitutional Law, has pushed down The Big Fake to enter the Top 3 rankings on Netflix Pakistan.
Remarkably, Haq continues to maintain its position among the Top 3 films despite having its OTT release a month ago. Many of these Indian films remain in Netflix Pakistan's rankings for up to 10 weeks, indicating consistent viewer engagement.
Several Pakistani celebrities have acknowledged Bollywood's success in adapting stories from Pakistan's mainland into commercially successful films. These industry figures have criticized their own film industry for failing to achieve similar results with local narratives.
Limited Presence of Non-Indian Content
The overwhelming dominance of Indian films leaves little room for other content on Netflix Pakistan's charts. Only a few non-Indian titles appear on the list, including:
- The Big Fake
- The Rip
- 96 Minutes
Most of these international films rank below their Indian counterparts, further emphasizing the preference for Bollywood content among Pakistani Netflix subscribers.
Indian Web Series Maintain Strong Presence
The dominance of Indian content extends beyond films to television shows. Indian web series continue to perform exceptionally well on Netflix Pakistan's TV show rankings.
According to the latest Top 10 list, the period drama Bridgerton currently holds the number one position, having claimed the top spot on January 31st. Prior to this, the crime thriller Taskaree: The Smuggler's Web, starring Emraan Hashmi, ruled Pakistan's Netflix charts for several weeks.
Consistent Performers and New Entrants
The Great Indian Kapil Show has demonstrated remarkable staying power, climbing five places to rank fourth in the latest rankings. The comedy show, which recently featured music composer AR Rahman, actor Vijay Sethupathi, and actress Aditi Rao Hydari, has maintained its position on the list for over 330 days.
While global titles like Stranger Things, The Vampire Diaries, and Jujutsu Kaisen remain present in the rankings, they have generally slipped down the charts. Meanwhile, the series HIS & HERS has gained momentum, moving up to third position in the latest rankings.
This comprehensive data from FlixPatrol confirms that Indian entertainment content continues to capture significant viewership in Pakistan, outperforming both local productions and international titles across multiple categories on Netflix.
